Re: Harrison Preisdential Reserve

Re: Harrison Preisdential Reserve

They got the wrong Harrison IMO. Benjamin Harrison's home on the banks of the James River between Richmond and Williamsburg was purported to be the locale of the first distillary on these shores. This was according to the late proprietor, Malcolm Jamieson, who in the mid 70's told me many a tale of the old Berkeley Plantation as we shared an ice cold bottle of Gin under the oaks overlooking the river. If it's true .. and I'll chase down the source in a book Mac gave me .. then a bourbon honoring Berkeley might just get me to part with that kind of money!

Re: Harrison Preisdential Reserve

Harrison Preisdential Reserve

Originally Posted by HighHorse

They got the wrong Harrison IMO. Benjamin Harrison's home on the banks of the James River between Richmond and Williamsburg was purported to be the locale of the first distillary on these shores. This was according to the late proprietor, Malcolm Jamieson, who in the mid 70's told me many a tale of the old Berkeley Plantation as we shared an ice cold bottle of Gin under the oaks overlooking the river. If it's true .. and I'll chase down the source in a book Mac gave me .. then a bourbon honoring Berkeley might just get me to part with that kind of money!

That family produced at least half a dozen Benjamin Harrisons. Both Presidents Harrison were born much too recently to have been involved in the first distillery in the area, but their ancestors were some of the first to colonize Virginia, and as large land owners it is very likely they were distilling. W.H. Harrison was born in that part of Virginia but Benjamin (the one who was President) was not a Virginian. Both of them have plenty of Indiana connections which seems to be what the bottler of this brand was looking for.

Re: Harrison Preisdential Reserve

[QUOTE=HighInTheMtns;323825]That family produced at least half a dozen Benjamin Harrisons. Both Presidents Harrison were born much too recently to have been involved in the first distillery in the area, but their ancestors were some of the first to colonize Virginia, and as large land owners it is very likely they were distilling.

I have no doubt that you are correct, Jim. Mac Jamieson claimed the plantation - Berkeley - was the first to distill .. and I'm almost sure he said bourbon. I do have the book on Berkeley at home and will refer to it for what they actually claim. Also note that these discussions were usually in a happy state of mind. Berkeley dates back to 1619 and Charles Dowdy put much of the history to print prior to his passing.

Re: Harrison Preisdential Reserve

With apologies for busting the thread .. Here’s the scoop on the first distillery: Legend has it that the spirit that is now called bourbon was first distilled by George Thorpe, an Episcopal priest, in Virginia in 1621. (Louisville MetroMix) & from Wikipedia Berkeley Plantation: The first bourbon whiskeydistilled: 1621, by George Thorpe, an Episcopal priest.
Also .. as for the Harrison’s, both Benjamin – the signer of the Declaration of Independence and W.Henry – the President, were born at Berkeley .. or, Harrison’s Landing as it was known. So … I’ll plant my bid for a bottle from … da dum … Virginia! How about Old Berkeley 100? (TM)

Re: Harrison Preisdential Reserve

Bourbon has about as many origin myths as, well, the earth. Berkeley Plantation is one of the weak ones. Basically, anybody in the South who can claim distilling claims bourbon.

As for the Harrison whiskey, which is MGPI Indiana whiskey, I'm wondering if anyone has tasted multiple MGPI Indiana bourbons and what you think? There are probably ten out there right now, maybe more. The bourbons are less well known than the ryes and there are two different mash bills, one that's about 20% rye and one that's about 37% rye, if I remember correctly. The producers don't all tell you which mash bill they used. A lot of the MGPI Indiana bourbon is finished in some way, such as in beer barrels or wine casks.